Taxpayers subsidize Bodack family income

I recently learned two important facts.

1. Eugene Zielmanski, District Judge for Wards 6 & 9, has an office in Lawrenceville, which he visits for approximately one-half day per week. If that. I understand he’s there reliably from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday mornings.

2. For the honor of having Zielmanksi in the neighborhood for less than 10 percent of the work week, taxpayers compensate the Bodack family to the tune of $1,000 per month.

That’s right, taxpayers pay $1,000 for an office that’s almost never occupied by the District Justice. I understand that I shouldn’t be shocked. The City Paper article (excerpted below) quoted the Bodacks’ point that they’re offering a ‘public service’ by creating appropriate quarters for the D.J.

Since they’re so community minded, it would be wonderful if they simply charged for the amount of time the building was in use — $100 a month, sounds about right.

“The Bodacks receive $1,118.75 a month in rent from the county for their property at 5153 Butler St., which has served as the courtroom of District Justice Ron Costa since 1989, according to County Controller Dan Onorato’s office. The senator and his wife also pull in $1,000 in county money monthly for 4211 Butler St., the office of District Justice Eugene Zielmanski since 1995.”
From http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/prev/archives/covarch/cov01/cv103101.html